Drain clog remover

ABSTRACT

A drain clog remover includes a container adapted to hold a drain cleaning composition and a shaft defining a delivery passage fluidly communicating with the container. In certain embodiments, the shaft includes projections for mechanically engaging and removing clog-forming material from the drain pipe. In other embodiments, the shaft is slidably coupled to the container for moving between a retracted position for storage and an extended position for use.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to plumbing maintenance, andmore particularly to apparatus and chemical compositions for removingclogs from drain pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Various types of apparatus and chemical compositions are known forremoving clogs formed in drain pipes. In some of these, a mechanicalapparatus is provided for engaging and removing the clog-formingmaterial from the drain pipe. In one example, the device includes anelongate, flexible strip sized for insertion into the drain pipe. Thestrip has a length sufficient so that a distal end will contact theclog. The user may then apply pushing, pulling, twisting, or other forceto the strip in an attempt to engage and/or dislodge all or part of theclog. The strip may include barbs or other projections extending from anexterior surface to improve the ability to snag or otherwise engagefibrous material that may be stuck in the drain pipe. Once the clogmaterial is engaged, the device is withdrawn from the drain pipe,bringing the clog-forming material with it.

Other types of devices attempt to dislodge the clog by providing a fluidjet that is directed toward the clog. These devices may be connected toa source of pressurized fluid such as water or air, and may include anelongate member having a channel extending therethrough to directpressurized fluid toward the location of the clog.

Alternatively, various chemical compositions are known which are adaptedto disintegrate or dissolve clogs formed in drain pipes. The chemicalcompositions are typically provided in containers, and the user simplypours the chemical composition from the container into an inlet of thedrain. U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,491 to Kiplinger discloses a more complexarrangement, which includes a rubber mat that is held in place between acoupling and a container so that the mat protects the plumbing fixtureadjacent the drain inlet to protect the plumbing fixture from thecorrosive properties of the chemical composition. The coupling includesa tube 24 that is inserted into the drain pipe, wherein the tube 24 isformed of a material that is rigid yet flexible enough to be bent intoan arcuate shape. The tube 24 has a sharp tip for piercing through aclog. With the tube so positioned, the container of acid is attached tothe coupling and opened so that the acid flows through the tube 24 andis discharged adjacent the clog. The tube 24 may include openings 70along its length to discharge acid along the entire length of the clog.In the disclosed embodiment, Kiplinger shows the clog located in anupwardly flowing leg of a U-trap section of pipe, so that gravity pullsacid discharged from the tube 24 into the clog.

While the above-noted mechanical and chemical approaches have met withsome success, there is still a need for devices which more quickly andefficiently eliminate clogs from drain pipes.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to certain aspects of the present disclosure, a drain clogremover for removing a clog from a drain pipe includes a containerhaving an outlet and defining a reservoir adapted to receive a draincleaning composition. An elongate shaft is coupled to the container andhas a proximal end and a distal tip, the shaft having an exteriorsurface sized for insertion into the drain pipe. A delivery passageextends through the shaft and has an inlet formed at the shaft proximalend in fluid communication with the container outlet. Projections extendoutwardly from the shaft exterior surface and are configured to gripfibrous material.

According to additional aspects of the disclosure, a drain clog removingkit is provided for use with a drain pipe. The kit includes a containerhaving an outlet and defining a reservoir adapted to receive a draincleaning composition. An elongate shaft has a proximal end, a distaltip, an exterior surface sized for insertion into the drain pipe, andprojections extending outwardly from the shaft exterior surfaceconfigured to grip fibrous material.

According to further aspects of this disclosure, a method of removing aclog from a drain pipe is provided that includes applying a mechanicalaction by inserting an elongate shaft into the drain pipe until a distaltip of the shaft engages the clog, the shaft having a proximal end and adelivery passage with an inlet formed at the shaft proximal end. Themethod also includes applying a chemical action by dispensing a draincleaning composition from an outlet of a container and into the shaftinlet.

According to still further aspects, a drain clog remover for removing aclog from a drain pipe includes a container having an outlet and beingadapted to receive a drain cleaning composition. A plug is coupled tothe container outlet and defines an aperture. An elongate, flexibleshaft has an exterior surface sized to slidably engage the plug throughthe aperture and is movable between a retracted position, in which amajority of the shaft is disposed inside the container, and an extendedposition, in which a majority of the shaft is disposed outside of thecontainer. The shaft has a proximal end and a distal tip, and at least aportion of the shaft exterior surface is further sized for insertioninto the drain pipe. A delivery passage is formed in the shaft andextends from the shaft proximal end to the shaft distal tip, a proximalend of the fluid delivery shaft fluidly communicating with the containeroutlet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the disclosed methods andapparatuses, reference should be made to the embodiment illustrated ingreater detail on the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an assembled drain clog remover,constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation view of a portion of a containerused in the drain clog remover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the proximal end of a shaftused in the drain clog remover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled drain clog remover in anactuated position, with a distal end of the shaft inserted into a drainpipe;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view, in cross-section, of an alternativeembodiment of a drain clog remover constructed according to the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a collar and tube sub-assemblyused in the drain clog remover of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevation view, in cross-section, of aportion of the collar and tube sub-assembly of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the drain clog remover of FIG. 4 withthe tube in the extended position and inserted into a drain pipe;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a drainclog remover constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are side elevation views, in cross-section, of thedrain clog remover of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of adrain clog remover constructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a drain clog remover kit including acontainer holding a chemical composition and a tool attachable to thecontainer;

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a syringe-style drain clog removerconstructed according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 13B is a side elevation view of the drain clog remover of FIG. 13Ashown prior to assembly of a container and a shaft;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a bellows style drain clog removerconstructed according to the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B are perspective views of the drain clog remover ofFIG. 14 showing a rigid outer cover in attached and removed positions,respectively.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scaleand that the disclosed embodiments are sometimes illustrateddiagrammatically and in partial views. In certain instances, detailswhich are not necessary for an understanding of the disclosed methodsand apparatuses or which render other details difficult to perceive mayhave been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that thisdisclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments illustratedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Drain clog removers are disclosed herein for removing clog-formingmaterial from drain pipes. In one embodiment, the drain clog removerincludes a container for holding a drain cleaning composition and aflexible shaft attached to an outlet of the container. The shaft mayinclude projections, such as barbs, particularly suited for engaging theclog-forming material. The shaft also includes a delivery passage thatfluidly communicates with the container outlet for directing thechemical composition toward the clog inside the drain pipe. Accordingly,this embodiment cleans clogs from drain pipes using both mechanical andchemical actions.

Also disclosed is a drain clog removing kit including a containerholding a drain cleaning composition and a shaft for mechanicallyengaging the drain clog. The shaft and container may be adapted forreleasable coupling and may be provided for sale in a common package.

A method of removing a clog from a drain is disclosed that includesapplying a mechanical action by inserting an elongate shaft into thedrain pipe until a distal tip of the shaft engages the clog. The shaftmay include projections extending from an exterior surface that areconfigured to engage fibrous material. The shaft has a delivery passagewith an inlet formed at a proximal end of the shaft. The method alsoincludes applying a chemical action by dispensing a drain cleaningcomposition from an outlet of a container and into the shaft inlet. Thedrain cleaning composition may be dispensed using a propellant,pressurized air, mechanical force, or any other suitable means fordischarging a chemical composition from a container. The deliverypassage may extend to the shaft distal tip, in which case thecomposition is dispensed from the shaft distal tip.

In an alternative embodiment, a container holding a drain cleaningcomposition includes a retractable tube for directing a composition intoa drain pipe. A plug is coupled to an outlet of the container andincludes an aperture size to frictionally engage an external surface ofthe tube. The tube may slide between a retracted position, in which amajority of the tube is disposed inside the container, and an extendedposition, in which a majority of the tube is disposed outside thecontainer. The plug may define a receptacle sized to receive a distaltip of the tube when it is in the retracted position. The plug aperturemay further be formed to scrape the drain cleaning composition from theexterior surface of the tube as it is moved from the retracted positioninto the extended position. Accordingly, this embodiment allows a userto more accurately dispense the chemical composition near the clog byplacing the tube in the extended position, while allowing the tube to bemoved to the retracted position for more compact storage.

Referring to FIG. 1, a drain clog remover 10 is shown having a shaft 12coupled to a container 14 holding a drain cleaning composition 15. Asbest shown in FIG. 2, the container 14 includes a discharge stem 16defining an outlet 18 for dispensing the composition 15. An exterior ofthe discharge stem 16 is formed with external threads 20 that arecomplimentary to internal threads 22 formed in the shaft 12 (FIG. 3) forreleasably coupling the shaft 12 to the container 14. It will beappreciated, however, that any known form of coupling the shaft 12 tothe container 14, whether permanent or removable, may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of this disclosure.

As used herein, the term “drain cleaning composition” encompasses anyliquid, gel, or solid material, other than water or water from aplumbing supply (e.g. softened water; hard water), or combinationthereof, which is used or marketed for use to remove drain clogs and/orto protect against drain clogs. Exemplary drain cleaning compositionsinclude, but are not limited to, caustic materials such as sodiumhydroxide, mixtures of sodium hydroxide, metal (e.g. aluminum) chips,and sodium nitrate, or alkaline sodium hypochlorite solutions (e.g. U.S.Pat. No. 4,080,305), as well as other cleaners such as laundry bleach orthose with additives such as surfactants, proteolytic enzymes, anddisulfide reducing agents. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,540,506, 4,619,710and 3,503,890.

The container 14 may include a valve for selectively controlling theflow of chemical composition 15 through the discharge stem 16. In theillustrated embodiment, the container 14 includes a tilt valve assembly24. When the discharge stem 16 is in a normal, undeflected position asshown in FIG. 1, the tilt valve assembly 24 is closed to prevent flowthrough the outlet 18. The discharge stem 16 may be deflected in alateral direction to an actuated position in which the discharge stem 16is tilted with respect to the container 14, as shown in FIG. 4. In theactuated position, the tilt valve assembly 24 is open to allow thechemical composition 15 to flow from the container and through theoutlet 18. The container 14 may also include a propellant thatpressurizes the interior of the container 14, thereby to assist with thedischarge of the composition 15 when the tilt valve assembly 24 is open.The propellant may be provided inside or otherwise dissolved within thecomposition, or may reside within the container 14 separately from orotherwise unmixed with the drain cleaning composition.

While the container 14 has been described herein as a pressurizedaerosol can having a tilt valve, it will be appreciated that a varietyof other types of containers or reservoirs may be used. The containermay be formed of metal, plastic, or any other material suitable forholding the drain cleaning composition. Regardless of the material used,the walls of the container may be rigid or flexible. Other types ofvalves may be substituted for the tilt valve assembly 24, or the valvemay be omitted from the container 14 altogether.

The container may include a propellant as described above, may beprovided with mechanical means for increasing the interior pressure ofthe container 14 (such as a piston or plunger), or may omit anypressurization of the container interior and instead rely on gravity,manual force, or other means to dispense the composition. For example,one possible alternative to the illustrated container 14 may be aflexible plastic pouch having a frangible seal across the outlet 18.Upon application of manual pressure to an exterior of the flexiblepouch, the seal may break to allow the composition to flow through theoutlet. In this alternative example, the manual pressure not only opensthe seal but also pressurizes the interior of the pouch to discharge thecomposition with additional force.

As understood from the foregoing examples, the container 14 may bedesigned for repeated use or may be intended to be disposable after asingle use. Furthermore, any container 14 may hold any chemicalcomposition that is known to dissolve, break-up, or otherwise removeclog-forming material in drain pipes.

The shaft 12 allows a user to manually remove drain-clogging materialwhile providing a conduit for more precisely directing the composition15 to the desired location within the drain pipe. As best shown in FIGS.1 and 3, the shaft 12 includes a proximal end 30 having internal threads22 for engaging the external threads 20 formed on the discharge stem 16.Opposite the proximal end 30 is a distal tip 34 which may be angled toform a point 36. In the illustrated embodiment, a delivery passage 38extends through an interior of the shaft 12 from the proximal end 30 toan outlet formed at the distal tip 34. Alternatively, the deliverypassage 38 may terminate at an intermediate point short of the distaltip to communicate with one or more outlets formed through a side of theshaft 12. Additionally, the shaft may include multiple outlets formedalong its length, with or without the distal outlet formed at the distaltip 34. The delivery passage 38 is sized at the proximal end 30 toreceive the discharge stem 16, thereby placing the outlet 18 in fluidcommunication with the delivery passage 38. The shaft 12 preferablyextends past any plug or stopper member associated with the drain pipe.As such the shaft 12 may be 6″, 12″, 18″ or other length. While theshaft 12 is illustrated as being threadably, and therefore releasably,attached to the container 14, it will be appreciated that the shaft 12and container 14 may be coupled by friction fit or other releasablecoupling, or may be permanently attached.

The shaft 12 includes projections that are adapted to grip clog-formingmaterial located within the drain pipe. As used herein, the phrase“adapted to grip” includes structures that engage, snag, or otherwisesecurely hold typical materials that form clogs in drain pipes. As shownin FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the projections extend from an exterior surface 40of the shaft 12. In the illustrated example, the projections are formedas barbs 42 that extend at an acute angle with respect to an axis of theshaft 12. The barbs 42 are particularly suited for gripping fibrousmaterials such as hair that may be lodged in the drain pipe, which maythen be subsequently removed upon withdrawal of the shaft 12 from thedrain. Alternatively, other fibrous-snagging structures may be used suchas hooks, bristles, or the hook side of a hook-and-loop fastener. Thedistal tip 34 may also be used to engage and dislodge drain-cloggingmaterial. Each projection may further include a projection port in fluidcommunication with the delivery passage 38 through which fluid may passin a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the shaft.

The shaft 12 may be formed of a flexible material which allows it to bebent into an arcuate shape so that it can traverse a tortuous path, suchas those commonly presented by typical P-trap and U-trap drain pipes.Accordingly, the shaft 12 may be formed of any flexible or semi-flexiblemetal, plastic, or other material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene,polyethylene terephthalate, high density polyethylene, low densitypolyethylene, or similar material.

The shaft 12 may further include an activation device, such as a buttonassembly 50, to facilitate actuation of the tilt valve assembly 20. Asbest shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the button assembly 50 includes an arm 52coupled to the shaft 12, such as by support block 54. The arm 52includes a finger pad 56 shaped to receive a finger of the user. Whenthe finger pad 56 is depressed as shown in FIG. 4, the shaft 12 andattached discharge stem 16 are tilted to open the valve assembly 20,thereby releasing the drain cleaning composition 15 from the container14. Alternatively, the activation device may comprise a trigger, pull,or other structure for actuating any type of valve provided in thecontainer.

In operation, the drain clog remover 10 provides mechanical and chemicalactions to remove a clog 62 formed in a drain 60. While holding thecontainer 14, the user may insert the shaft 12 into the drain until theshaft distal tip 34 engages the clog. When the shaft 12 is formed of aflexible material, it may traverse a tortuous path before it engages theclog. The shaft 12 may be manipulated within the drain to contact anddislodge all or a portion of the clog by moving the container 14. Withthe shaft 12 still positioned inside the drain and the distal tip 34adjacent the clog, the user may then actuate the valve assembly 24 todischarge the drain cleaning composition 15 from the outlet 18. Thecomposition 15 travels through the delivery passage 38 and is dischargedfrom the distal tip 34 of the shaft 12. As a result, the composition 15is more accurately dispensed in the immediate vicinity of the clog.After waiting a specified time to allow the composition 15 tosufficiently dissolve or break-up the clog, the user may then flush outthe drain with a flow of water. It will be appreciated, therefore, thatboth mechanical and chemical actions are used to remove the clog fromthe drain.

An alternative embodiment of a drain clog remover 200 that uses amechanical actuator to dispense the chemical composition is illustratedin FIGS. 9, 10A, and 10B. The drain clog remover 200 includes acontainer 202 having a proximal end 204 and a distal end 206. Acontainer outlet 208 is provided at the distal end 206 and may besurrounded by a splash guard 210 configured to engage a surface of theplumbing fixture surrounding the drain. The container 202 is filled witha chemical composition and a shaft 212 is coupled to the outlet 208.

The mechanical actuator is provided as a spring loaded piston 214 thatdispenses the chemical composition into the drain pipe. The piston 214is disposed inside the container 202 and is coupled to a spring 216positioned between the piston 214 and the container proximal end 204.The spring 216 has a first, or retracted, position illustrated in FIG.10A and a second, or extended, position illustrated in FIG. 10B. Thespring 216 is initially held in the retracted position by auser-releasable latch 218. When the latch 218 is actuated, it releasesthe spring to expand to the extended position, thereby driving thepiston 214 toward the container distal end 206. Movement of the piston214 in the distal direction pushes chemical composition through theoutlet 208 and shaft conduit to discharge into the drain pipe. In thisembodiment, therefore, a mechanical spring force is used to dispense thechemical composition.

Yet another embodiment of a drain clog remover 250 is illustrated inFIG. 11. The drain clog remover 250 includes a container 252 holding achemical composition. The container 252 has a proximal end 254 and adistal end 256 defining an outlet. A splash guard 260 is coupled to thecontainer distal end 256. A chamber 262 of pressurized gas, such as air,fluidly communicates with an interior of the container 252 through aninternal passage (not shown) that is initially closed by a frangibleseal (also not shown). The chamber 262 is movable to disrupt the seal,thereby communicating the pressurized gas to the container interior. Theelevated pressure in the container 262 forces chemical composition outof the outlet 258 and through a shaft coupled thereto to ultimatelydischarge into the drain pipe.

A syringe style embodiment of a drain clog remover 400 that uses manualforce to discharge the chemical composition is illustrated in FIGS. 13Aand 13B. The drain clog remover 400 includes a container 402 defining aninternal chamber for holding the chemical composition. A window 403 mayextend along a length of the container 402 to provide a visualindication of how much chemical composition remains in the container402. The container 402 has an open proximal end 404 and a distal end 406defining an outlet 408. A splash guard 410 extends radially outwardlyfrom the container distal end 406. A plunger 412 has a proximal enddefining a handle 414 and a distal end disposed inside the containerchamber and defining a piston 416. The piston 416 is sized to slidealong an interior surface of the container from an initial, proximalposition to an actuated, distal position, thereby to force chemicalcomposition through the outlet 408. A shaft 418 having a deliverypassage 420 is coupled to the container outlet 408, such as by matingthreads. As shown in FIG. 13B, the container 402 and shaft 418 may beprovided unassembled, and the container 402 may include an outlet cap422 to prevent inadvertent discharge of the chemical composition and aplunger cap 424 to prevent inadvertent actuation of the plunger 412.

In operation, the user may remove the outlet cap 422 and couple theshaft 418 to the container outlet 408. The shaft 418 is inserted intothe drain, the plunger cap 424 is removed, and the plunger 412 isactuated from the initial position to the actuated position byapplication of manual force. As the plunger piston 416 moves distally,chemical composition is forced out the outlet 408 and through the shaftdelivery passage to discharge into the drain.

A bellows style embodiment of a drain clog remover 500 is illustrated inFIGS. 14, 15A, and 15B. As shown in FIG. 14, the drain clog remover 500includes a container 502 that is collapsible from an expanded state asshown to a contracted state under manual force. In the illustratedembodiment, the container 502 is formed with bellows 504 that allow thecontainer 502 to be collapsed. The container 502 defines an internalchamber for holding a drain cleaning chemical composition, and has aproximal end 506 and a distal end 508 defining an outlet 510. A splashguard 512 extends radially outwardly from the container distal end 508.A shaft 514 having a delivery passage 516 is coupled to the containeroutlet 510. In operation, the user applies manual force on the containerto compress it from the expanded state to the contracted state, therebyforcing chemical composition through the outlet 510 and shaft deliverypassage 516. To prevent inadvertent discharge of the chemicalcomposition, a rigid outer cover 520 is releasably coupled to the drainclog remover 500 which is sized to telescope over the collapsiblecontainer 502. When assembled as shown in FIG. 15A, the rigid outercover 520 prevents applied forces from compressing the container 502.Prior to use, the cover 520 may be removed from the container 502 toprovide access to the collapsible container 502.

A drain clog remover kit 300 is illustrated in FIG. 12. The kit 300includes the shaft 12 and the container 14 holding a drain cleaningcomposition. The shaft 12 is configured to couple with the container 14.For example, the shaft 12 may be releasably coupled to the container 14by complementary threads, as described above. Alternatively, any otherknown releasable or permanent coupling may be formed therebetween. Thecontainer 14 is filled with a chemical composition for removing drainclogs. In use, the chemical composition is dispensed from the outlet 18of the container 14 and through the delivery passage 38 of the shaft 12for discharge into the drain pipe. The shaft 12 and container aremounted on a unitary package 302. While the package is illustrated as ablister package, any know packaging may be used without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure.

Yet another alternative drain clog remover 110 is illustrated in FIGS.5-8. The drain clog remover 110 includes a shaft 112 slidably coupled toa container 114. The container 114 defines an outlet 118 and may beformed of a flexible material such as plastic. A plug 120 is releasablycoupled to the container outlet 118 and includes an orifice 122 sized toslidably receive the shaft 112.

As best shown in FIG. 6, the plug 120 includes a flange 124 adapted toengage an upper edge of the container 114 that forms the outlet 118. Theplug 120 further includes a tapered collar portion 126 that defines anexterior receptacle 128. A plug base 130 extends inwardly from a bottomend of the collar portion 126 and defines the orifice 122.

The shaft 112 is slidably received in the orifice 122 and includes aproximal end 132 and a distal end 134. A delivery passage 136 extendsthrough the shaft 112 from the proximal end 132 to the distal end 134.The shaft 112 has a retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 5, inwhich a majority of the shaft 112 is disposed within the container 114.The shaft may be moved to an extended position illustrated in FIG. 8, inwhich a majority of the shaft 112 is disposed outside of the container114.

The orifice 122 is preferably sized to sealingly yet slidingly engage anexterior surface of the shaft 112, thereby to prevent the contents ofthe container 114 from exiting through the orifice 122. The orifice 122may be formed with a taper 140 defining an annular edge 142 for removingproduct from the exterior surface of the shaft 112 as it is moved fromthe retracted to the extended position. In addition, the shaft proximalend 132 may include an outward flare 144 having a profile that iscomplimentary to the orifice taper 140, thereby to more reliably form aseal between the shaft 112 and the plug base 130 when the shaft 112 isin the extended position. The flare 144 also serves to retain the shaftproximal end 132 within the container 114.

The shaft distal end 134 may include a valve or seal for controlling theflow of chemical composition through the shaft 112. In the illustratedembodiment, the shaft distal end 134 is formed with a grip 150 that maybe twisted to open the shaft 112. The grip 150 also allows a user tomore reliably grasp the shaft distal end 134, thereby facilitatingactuation of the shaft 112 between the retracted and extended positions.The receptacle 128 formed by the plug collar portion 126 is preferablysufficiently deep to receive the entire external portion of the shaft112 when in the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

The drain clog remover 110 is intended to be stored with the shaft 112in the retracted position. To prepare the drain clog remover 110 foruse, the shaft distal end 134 may be pulled to move the shaft 112 fromthe retracted position to the extended position as shown in FIG. 8. Theuser may then insert the shaft distal end 134 into the drain 170 untilit is adjacent the clog 172. The container 114 may then be pressurizedmechanically or otherwise, to discharge chemical composition from thecontainer and through the shaft 112. In so doing, the product is moreprecisely directed to the location of the clog within the drain.

While certain embodiments have been set forth, alternatives andmodifications will be apparent from the above description to thoseskilled in the art. These and other alternatives are consideredequivalents and within the spirit and scope of this disclosure and theappended claims.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The apparatus and methods disclosed herein may be used to remove clogsfrom drain pipes.

1. A drain clog remover for removing a clog from a drain pipe, theapparatus comprising: a container having an outlet and defining areservoir adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition; an elongateshaft coupled to the container and having a proximal end and a distaltip, the shaft having an exterior surface sized for insertion into thedrain pipe; a delivery passage extending through the shaft and having aninlet formed at the shaft proximal end in fluid communication with thecontainer outlet; and projections extending outwardly from the shaftexterior surface configured to grip fibrous material.
 2. The drain clogremover of claim 1, in which the projections comprise barbs.
 3. Thedrain clog remover of claim 1, in which the container is formed of amaterial sufficiently flexible to compress under manual pressure.
 4. Thedrain clog remover of claim 1, in which the container includes an outletvalve for controlling flow of the drain cleaning composition through thecontainer outlet.
 5. The drain clog remover of claim 4, in which theshaft further comprises an activation device to facilitate actuation ofthe outlet valve.
 6. The drain clog remover of claim 1, in which theshaft is sufficiently flexible to be bent into an arcuate shape.
 7. Thedrain clog remover of claim 1, in which the container reservoir isfurther adapted to receive a propellant to facilitate discharge of thedrain cleaning composition out of the container outlet.
 8. The drainclog remover of claim 1, in which the container reservoir furthercomprises a mechanical actuator for dispensing the chemical compositionfrom the container.
 9. The drain clog remover of claim 8, in which themechanical actuator comprises a spring-loaded piston.
 10. The drain clogremover of claim 1, in which the delivery passage extends to the shaftdistal tip.
 11. A drain clog removing kit for use with a drain pipe, thekit comprising: a container having an outlet and defining a reservoiradapted to receive a drain cleaning composition; and an elongate shafthaving a proximal end, a distal tip, an exterior surface sized forinsertion into the drain pipe, and projections extending outwardly fromthe shaft exterior surface configured to grip fibrous material.
 12. Thekit of claim 11, in which a delivery passage extends through the shaftand has an inlet formed at the shaft proximal end in fluid communicationwith the container outlet.
 13. The kit of claim 11, in which the shaftproximal end is adapted for coupling to the container outlet.
 14. Thekit of claim 13, in which the shaft proximal end and container outletcomprise complementary threads.
 15. The kit claim 11, in which thecontainer includes a valve for controlling flow of the drain cleaningcomposition through the container outlet.
 16. The kit of claim 11, inwhich the shaft is sufficiently flexible to be bent into an arcuateshape.
 17. A method of removing a clog from a drain pipe, comprising:applying a mechanical action by inserting an elongate shaft into thedrain pipe until a distal tip of the shaft engages the clog, the shafthaving a proximal end and a delivery passage with an inlet formed at theshaft proximal end; and applying a chemical action by dispensing a draincleaning composition from an outlet of a container and into the shaftinlet.
 18. The method of claim 17, in which the shaft further comprisesprojections extending outwardly from an exterior surface of the shaftand configured to grip fibrous material, and in which the application ofmechanical action further comprises placing the projections intoengagement with the clog.
 19. The method of claim 17, in which thecontainer further comprises an outlet valve and a propellant is disposedinside the container, and in which the dispensing comprises actuatingthe outlet valve.
 20. The method of claim 17, in which the containerfurther comprises a mechanical actuator for dispensing the chemicalcomposition from the container, and in which the dispensing comprisesactuating the mechanical actuator.
 21. The method of claim 17, in whichthe shaft delivery passage extends to the shaft distal tip, and in whichthe dispensing comprises dispensing the drain cleaning composition fromthe shaft distal tip.
 22. A drain clog remover for removing a clog froma drain pipe, the apparatus comprising: a container having an outlet andbeing adapted to receive a drain cleaning composition; a plug coupled tothe container outlet and defining an aperture; an elongate shaft havingan exterior surface sized to slidably engage the plug through theaperture and movable between a retracted position, in which a majorityof the shaft is disposed inside the container, and an extended position,in which a majority of the shaft is disposed outside of the container,the shaft having a proximal end, and a distal tip, and wherein at leasta portion of the shaft exterior surface is further sized for insertioninto the drain pipe, and a delivery passage in the shaft and extendingfrom the shaft proximal end to the shaft distal tip, a proximal end ofthe fluid delivery shaft fluidly communicating with the containeroutlet.
 23. The drain clog remover of claim 22, in which the plugaperture is tapered to form a scraper edge sized to engage an exteriorsurface of the shaft.
 24. The drain clog remover of claim 22, in whichthe plug defines a receptacle sized to receive the shaft distal tip whenthe shaft is in the retracted position.